First start already at the Farmers, Vijay Singh wants to compete again, Charley Hull soon on YouTube. The Back Nine.
As expected, Brooks Koepka has opted out of the 2026 LIV Golf season beginning February 7 in Riyadh; the five-time major winner will remain connected to the rival circuit but needs more time for family. This was amicably agreed upon, according to LIV CEO Scott McNeil’s official statement. Koepka is known as a competitor who gets highly motivated and fired up only in top-level competition, something he lacked at LIV. He switched to Saudi Arabia in 2022 mainly because of career-ending injuries and to secure a solid retirement fund. Thus, skipping the final contractual season is not surprising, though questions remain about possible buyouts or repayments. He remains owner of LIV team Smash GC, which has named Talor Gooch as captain.
Speculation arises where Koepka will play next: the DP World Tour, where immediate eligibility is expected possibly with a penalty, or the PGA Tour, where he faces a one-year suspension since his last LIV event after previous lifetime bans were relaxed. A key question now partially answered: according to ESPN journalist Mark Schlabach, Koepka formally applied last Friday to reactivate his PGA Tour membership, which was not renewed after 2022, seeking reinstatement into the playing group.
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Any suspension would end in August, coinciding with the 2026 season finale at the Tour Championship. Koepka would then be eligible for 2027, which introduces a new PGA Tour schedule featuring nearly two dozen $20-million tournaments with limited, top fields—an ideal re-entry time suiting Koepka’s style. Investors in PGA Tour Enterprises would welcome this high-profile name.
\”He may need some time, but I think he will return to the PGA Tour,\” said Jon Rahm in the \”Subpar\” podcast. \”He’ll probably play the minimum and pick the big tournaments he likes. If he qualifies or gains entry to high-profile events, he’ll play those too.\” It’s possible that the five-time major winner will get leniency from PGA Tour leadership, including player directors and the competition committee led by Tiger Woods, who follows Rory McIlroy’s recommendation to allow Koepka to play immediately.
Update: It happened just like that. Monday evening local time, news spread rapidly that Koepka is immediately eligible to play on the PGA Tour and will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open in late January at Torrey Pines. He is also confirmed for the WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale, Arizona.
This was made possible by the \”Returning Member Program,\” created last Thursday, allowing select LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour without suspension. Koepka’s sporting merits, notably his 2023 PGA Championship win—the fifth major—were considered.
The PGA Tour statement specifies this exemption applies to major and Players Championship